Smoke and toxic air pollutants increase lung inflammation
Miami (January 16, 2025) - Wildfire smoke and the resulting air pollutants from burning debris and chemicals can result in significant lung health risks for those exposed, particularly people with chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), and first responders on the front line.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine, microscopic particles. These particles can cause burning eyes, a runny nose and difficulty breathing. People with COPD and other chronic lung diseases can also experience increased exacerbations (or flare-ups) of their symptoms when breathing this toxic air.
COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke and pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
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Likelihood of falls rises based on number of fall-risk increasing drugs a person is prescribed
Miami (January 14, 2025) - People with COPD experience more falls and related injuries requiring medical care when using common fall-risk increasing drugs, according to a new study. The study is published in the November 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
Previous research has shown that people with COPD have a higher risk of falling due to increased frailty, impaired gait and the tripping hazard of oxygen tubing. They also commonly experience pain, anxiety, insomnia and other comorbidities, such as diabetes or hypertension. Opioids, benzodiazepines and other medications used to treat these comorbidities and symptoms can increase a person's risk of falling and fall-related injuries.
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Collaborative care would benefit patients, improve access to treatment
Miami (January 9, 2025) - Additional research addressing the connection between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome is needed to improve holistic patient care, according to a new editorial. The editorial is published in the November 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
People with COPD also experience multiple comorbidities. Metabolic syndrome - when a person has diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure - is a common comorbidity in people living with COPD.
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Smoke exposure negatively impacts critical lung development in childhood and adolescence
Miami (January 7, 2025) - Childhood smoking before age 15 increases a person's risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study. The study is published in the November 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.
A previous study using data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey showed that COPD was more prevalent in adults who began smoking prior to 15 years of age (childhood smoking) compared to those who began after 15 years of age, regardless of their current smoking status and lifetime cigarette use.
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Miami & Boston (December 10, 2024) - The COPD Foundation announces NuvoAir as a new partner in its Digital Health Corporate Social Responsibility program. The collaboration reinforces the Foundation's commitment to support digital technologies aimed at improving the lives of millions living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
NuvoAir offers a patient management technology platform to deliver virtual-first specialty care. Through evidence-based health programs, NuvoAir leverages continuous remote monitoring, the use of proprietary biomarkers, and close collaboration between care coordinators, coaches and health care providers to deliver proactive, tailored care to each person. People with COPD can access:
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COPD Foundation's PIVOT initiative puts patients at the forefront
Miami (December 4, 2024) - The perspectives and priorities of people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be integrated into the development process of new therapies for COPD, according to a new commentary. The article is published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
The commentary discusses the COPD Foundation's PIVOT (Patient-Inspired Validation of Outcome Tools) initiative, a patient-centric framework to validate outcome measures for use in clinical trials in COPD. A foundational component of PIVOT is the creation of a unified set of patient-inspired health concepts in COPD.
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Miami & Belfast, Northern Ireland (November 26, 2024) - The COPD Foundation announces Wanda Health and ProAxsis as partners in the Foundation's Digital Health Corporate Social Responsibility program. Through this program, the Foundation expands its support of innovations aimed at improving the lives of millions living with chronic lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk and disease management remains poor. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by enlarged airways that are thickened and/or scarred. These permanently widened airways lead to a buildup of mucus and impaired clearance of bacteria from the lungs. Between 340,000 and 522,000 adults are receiving treatment in the U.S.
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November 20 marks annual World COPD Day
Miami (November 20, 2024) - The COPD Foundation joins lung health champions around the world in recognition of World COPD Day today, November 20, to raise awareness, share knowledge and take action to reduce the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease worldwide.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke or pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and chronic cough.
This year's World COPD Day is focused on "Know Your Lung Function" and highlights the importance of spirometry. Spirometry is an important tool in diagnosing COPD and can also be used throughout a person's life to assess a person's lung function as an indicator of their overall health.
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New study aims to provide new insight into how COPD progresses in people with a smoking history
Miami (November 14, 2024) - Researchers are exploring how small airway abnormalities in younger smokers could help identify who is at risk of developing COPD and establish how the chronic lung disease progresses, according to a new article. The article is published in the September 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke and pollution. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
The multi-year, multicenter study - the SPIROMICS Study of Early Disease Progression (SOURCE) - is focused on enrolling a younger cohort of participants (ages 30 to 55) who have a history of cigarette smoking to help define the mechanisms of COPD progression. The study is examining small airway abnormalities that may lead to emphysema, as well as the possibility of using sputum as a biomarker for COPD.
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COPD affects 30 million people, yet is still misunderstood
Miami (November 12, 2024) - November is COPD Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease's symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans, yet many of those don't yet know they have it.
There are several misconceptions surrounding chronic lung disease. Through COPD Awareness Month and other educational initiatives, the COPD Foundation is working to better inform the community about this disease.
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Authors suggest using syndemic theory approach to help address disparities
Miami (November 7, 2024) – Health care providers treating people with COPD also need to focus on the person’s socioeconomic factors, along with considering their additional health conditions or comorbidities, according to a new article. The article is published in the September 2024 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can be caused by genetics and irritants like smoke and pollution.
Research has linked poverty to COPD and its related comorbidities, which for many individuals with COPD includes cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and metabolic disorders like diabetes.
This new editorial provides evidence on the need to classify COPD as a syndemic—two (or more) diseases within specific populations with common social factors that increase disease burden. The authors suggest that a syndemic theory approach to COPD would encourage more holistic care, would help identify and address socioeconomic factors that contribute to a person’s risk of developing COPD, and would demonstrate the need to actively enroll research participants from minority populations.
“Syndemic theory examines why health and social issues accumulate in particular populations,” said Sophia A. Hayes, M.D., M.S., a pulmonary and critical care clinical and research fellow at the University of Washington and lead author of the article. “Applying this framework to COPD would encourage more points of intervention to help address risk factors for COPD like exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution and poor nutrition, which are associated with marginalization and lower socioeconomic status.
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Programs help people improve strength and stamina, reduce shortness of breath
Miami (November 5, 2024) – Pulmonary rehabilitation programs combine exercise training, health education and breathing techniques to help people with chronic lung disease live better lives. Research has shown benefits for people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and other chronic pulmonary conditions.
COPD comprises several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The disease affects more than 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet awareness of the disease’s symptoms, methods to reduce risk, and disease management remains poor.
Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are a combination of educational classes and supervised exercise sessions designed for people who have difficulty breathing. Programs help people understand their breathing and how to live better with their condition.
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